Author: Michael Quinn

8 Nomads and a friend enjoyed a mainly sunny circular paddle up the Thames from Laleham, down the Abbey Stream to Chertsey weir and returning under the M3 to the start. The Thames was flowing well, so it was a bit of a slog upstream dodging the rowing fours to Penton hook lock, where we paused on the inside of the 'hook' for a breather and to look at Steve's old house on the opposite bank. Anthony led us off down the Abbey Stream through dense vegetation like Humphrey Bogart (without the leeches) and across country to stop at the site of the old Abbey for lunch and a mutual admiration of new kayaking gear. Suitably refreshed, we continued down the Abbey Stream to the punting rollers onto the Thames,…

Five Nomads enjoyed pretty mild January weather to paddle the beautiful upper Wye between Builth and Glasbury on saturday and Newbridge and Builth on sunday led by Peter and Matt. We were ably assisted, encouraged and chauffered by Fane, who'd unfortunately injured his shoulder and so couldn't paddle. Saturday's paddle of nearly 20 miles was Charlotte's first taste of proper white water and not only did she make the distance, she also paddled all the rapids without problem in very good style. Well done! Everyone enjoyed the mixture of fantastic Welsh scenery interspersed with grade 2 and the odd grade 2-3 rapid every few miles and we arrive just as dusk was falling for hot showers and good food, drink and strained landlord's humour at the local pub. Sunday's paddle…

On the 10th of December arctic weather conditions and a heavy snow fall conspired to reduce the 13 people signed up on the trip to just 2 at the Thames at Laleham. Undeterred, Matt and Andy elected to be responsible for their own safety and paddled anyway on a quiet and slack Thames literally steaming in the freezing air. The water was low as we paddled down the Abbey Stream past the caravan site into woodland. From a mile in there was even more choking weed than usual requiring us to pull our boats along with our hands in places. A gentle snowfall started as we arrived at the lunch stop for welcome cups of hot  tea, but despite the beauty of the scene we didn't delay in eating our…

On Sunday 15 Nomads led by Ian Walker traveled to Sandy in Bedfordshire to paddle the beautiful river Ivel. It was a cold but sunny morning as we started off through bright green fields and split up above the first weir with some more experienced paddlers following a side cut to run a chute and the rest following the main channel over the first weir. Regrouping in the pool below the chute everyone had a chance to enjoy the faster moving water and practice their ferry glides with Anthony showing how it should be done.   After a little play we moved on through pretty countryside against a growing headwind with only those who'd paddled the river before knowing what was in store. Little did the first timers on this…

On the 9th and 10th of September 17 Nomads and two guests led by Matt and Peter spent  the weekend, or part of it, on the Wye at Symonds Yat. Based at Symonds Yat West Leisure Park campsite, on the Saturday we descended from Kerne Bridge back to the campsite through stunning Welsh marches scenery with kingfishers accompanied by various stag parties and team building hire groups, two of who's sunken canadian canoes we rescued mid river as an impromptu display of Nomads' skill. We couldn't ask for more as the sun came out for our lunch stop, after which everyone completed the nine miles back to the campsite. Well done especially to Maria on her first club trip, who paddled in fine style. After the day's 'warm up' the…

At 11 a.m. on Saturday 12th August 3 Nomads assembled at Mile End Mill for a weekend of white water adventure.  This began with a warm up session under the watchful eye of Trip Leader Nick Moore, who was keen to assess the ability of the group before we ventured onto the Tryweryn.  He wasn’t kept waiting long, as Ian soon discovered that the back deck of his Prijon Kaituna had not been designed for swift escape from the bottom stopper.  Fortunately, Nigel was on hand to tow him out and a seemingly inevitable swim was thus avoided.  Thereafter, the bottom wave provided ample opportunity for further practice and a combination of rolls and stabbing off the bottom kept everyone safely in their boats.  After a couple of seal launches…

Twelve Nomads, two on their first club trip, had a glorious, sunny paddle and picnic in the Oxfordshire countryside above Wargrave. Water birds were abundant, and though we managed to avoid being attacked by swans, Pier was attacked by a fisherman and only narrowly slipped away aided by a water like coating on his body. Everyone had a good time and got good experience of moving water away from the aquadrome. Well done to Sarah and Pier on their first trip and thanks to Peter and Anthony.